UK: Halal food manufacturer launching new Blackburn shop

Blackburn: HALAL food manufacturer KQF will launch a new supermarket in Blackburn after taking over a convenience store.

The firm has bought Marhaba, in Whalley Range, and will relaunch it today as a supermarket when it is opened by Blackburn mayor Salim Mulla.

The acquisition is part of an ongoing growth plan, which has already seen the creation of additional jobs, new industry accreditations and the launch of a successful European export sales strategy.

The superstore will sustain at least 10 jobs and is expected to create more as it moves to a new shift pattern.

This will transform it into the first ‘hundred hour’ store in the immediate area, staying open from 7am until 11pm.

The first new appointment will be to the role of store manager, for which the company is still seeking applicants.

MD Faruk Vali said buying the 5,000sq ft store was an important step for the company that would open up new opportunities.

He said: “KQF certainly isn’t new to the retail business because we’ve been running a factory shop, in George Street West, for many years.

“But having a new KQF Superstore on Whalley Range gives us a much better, much more convenient location, and one that is accessible to many more local consumers.

“We do want to make sure that it remains a proper convenience store, so in addition to our own branded products, the shop will continue to stock all the usual groceries and household goods that customers have come to expect.”